Seeds to sow and seedlings ready to plant.
Like April, May is a mixed bag of sunny and rainy days. However, there is still plenty to do, with seeds to sow and young seedlings to plant out. May markets the start of lush growth, with gardens thriving and lawns greening up for summer.
Things to do this month
- Check plants regularly to see if they need watering. If they do, give them a thorough soaking.
- Apply shade paint to greenhouse windows or fix blinds to provide share for the summer.
- Open greenhouse vents on warm days.
- As the weather warms, stock ponds with new plants and fish.
- Feed the lawn with a high-nitrogen fertiliser to encourage strong, healthy growth.
- Keep on top of weeds as they appear, and deal with them quickly, either by hoeing or spraying with a suitable weedkiller.
What to plant
Vegetables
- Cucumbers
- Runner beans
- Sweetcorn
- Spring onions
- Tomatoes
- Lupins
- French beans
- Cavolo Nero
- Rocket
- Chard
- Sorrel
- Horseradish
Fruit
- Strawberries
- Avocado
- Banana
- Butternut squash
- Peach
- Mango
- Fig Tree
Ornamental plants
- Sunflowers
- Salvia
- Honeysuckle
- Helenium
- Nerine
- Pansies and violets
- Cosmos
- Anemone
- Sedum
- Calathea
- Hostas
Plants and shrubs
- Geraniums and pelargoniums
- Lilac
- Crocosmia
- Ceanothus
- Euphorbia
- Butterfly Bush
- Bay
- Dianthus Verbena
- Baby’s breath
- Forget-Me-Nots
- Hollyhocks
- Begonias
- Bougainvillea
- Gardenias
The above information does not reflect all recommended jobs, vegetables, and other plants. The information has been sourced by Love the Garden, please visit their official Gardening in May for more details.